Education Technology

Investigating Segments in a Right Triangle

Subject Area
Math: Geometry: Triangles
Level
9-12
Activity Time
20 Minutes
Software
TI Connect™
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Resource Types
Lessons

Investigating Segments in a Right Triangle

Activity Overview

In this activity, students review definitions of terms such as right triangle, hypotenuse, midpoint, vertices, and equidistant. They also discover an important characteristic of the midpoint of the hypotenuse. NCTM Geometry Standard covered: Analyze characteristics and properties of 2- and 3-dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships.

Before the Activity

  • Install the Cabri™ Jr. App on the students' graphing calculators using TI Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable, and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
  • Set up the TI-Navigator™ system
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 26-27 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Draw a right angle triangle
  • Find the midpoint of the hypotenuse
  • Measure the distances from the midpoint of the hypotenuse to each vertex
  • Make a conjecture about these distances by changing the lengths of sides, keeping the triangle a right angled one
  • After the Activity

    Review student results:

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary
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    Subject Area
    Math: Geometry: Triangles
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    20 Minutes
    Software
    TI Connect™
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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